Stardate 2015.350.1
No Machine, No Problem!
Taking my sewing machine in for service is no easy
task. Not because it’s difficult to get
to the service shop, but more so because I’ll be without my machine and its
services for longer than any quilter wants to be without their machine. But, into the shop it had to go. Luckily, I always keep some handwork to do.
I picked up an applique quilt I’ve been working on for some
time. I’ve managed to get five blocks
done and then stalled out pretty significantly on it (It takes 12 blocks...). Without my machine, I decided the universe
was telling me to get started on another block.
A couple of finished blocks, including an original flower design (the purple flower). |
Applique is slow-going for me as I do the old-fashioned
needle-turned applique, but I do love the results! I find the hardest thing to do in the
applique realm is to either turn really sharp points (points like an arrow
head) or turning in very sharp points (points like a “V” shape) without the
fabric fraying. So, those types of designs always frustrate me and I tend to
steer clear of them. But, for some
reason, I dove right in on this one. Perhaps
I just needed a challenge, or perhaps I just didn’t want to “not quilt” for a
few weeks while my machine was out for service. Or, my third option might just be that the red
in the quilt felt “holiday-ish” and so it just helped to bring the spirit of
the season out. Plus, it's just a cheerful quilt pattern. Regardless of the reason, I’m now trying to get another block finished before I
veer off onto another project.
Close up of one of the finished blocks. I love the flowers in these blocks as they are very playful. |
I spotted these blocks in a quilt store in Utah, while
traveling there for work, several years ago.
Now, you have to understand that red is not a favorite color of mine; in
fact it can wear me out while working with it a lot. I think it’s just the shear intensity of the
color sometimes. But, when I saw the
blocks, I was smitten by them, and, too, knowing what I know about me and the
color red, I thought the quilt would be a good challenge for me – force me into
that realm of being “uncomfortable” so that I would explore something different. After all, I probably never would have tried
making a quilt with red as the predominate color…
The pattern is from Piece O’Cake quilts and it’s called
“Aunt Millie’s Garden”. I
started out buying the “block of the month” fabrics, but then quickly
transitioned to my own because I thought the colors I was getting were too
muted for the pattern. So, off on my own
I went.
Here's the pattern. I've seen others complete the quilt - some on a black background, and its very striking. |
Because I’m not great at needle-turned applique, I bought
the video from Piece O’ Cake Quilts on needle-turned applique. I’d had a class at a local quilt shop many
moons ago, and thought a refresher couldn’t hurt, and I’d probably learn
something – maybe a different technique – from the newer video. The video was very helpful and gave me
several new techniques to use one which includes using a wet toothpick to turn
some of the sharp points. I’m learning to tackle those pesky points and do a little
better each time I navigate one.
So, here is Block #6 in the works.
For Block #6, I'm using lines of fabric mainly from Joel Dewberry (mainly Notting Hill) and a couple fabrics from Pat Bravo. Different, but I think it'll work... |
Having a lot of time between the first five blocks and this one, I realized I’ve chosen very different fabrics than the previous blocks for Block #6, but with the overall design of the quilt, I think
it’ll work out okay. I’m plugging along on it but am a bit baffled on what
color to make the stems and leaves.
It’ll come…inspiration usually does.
Sometimes it’s in the form of others’ observations…
I’d challenge you to think about what colors, or what
patterns are outside your comfort zone, and try to take on that “unfamiliar” path. You might just open up a new world
of creativity for yourself. I’m going to
keep on this red quilt. It may take me
several years to complete (because I’m slow at applique), but I will get it
finished. Have fun with what you decide
to tackle outside your comfort zone. I hope you discover something fantastic!!
I learned about the psychology of color at a lecture in Houston. The woman told me I need more red and orange in my life to balance my energy. Funny, I was just thinking to increase my red use this year!
ReplyDeleteI linked your blog to two friends, great posts by the way. I am really wanting to try the kaleidoscope blocks but can't tell how you made them. I like EPP and hand work. Looks like one hexie in the center and some cut off diamond points around??? LeeAnna at
leeannaquilts at gmail dot com
Your applique is stunning! I bet I'm slower at applique than you. I've pretty much given up on it. Thanks for that colour challenge at the end of your post I'll try to keep it in mind.
ReplyDelete